MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster-General, if scales of payment are furnished to sub-postmasters; and, if so, are they binding alike on both the Department and sub-postmaster; and whether he is aware of the fact that sub-postmasters have been working the telephone on behalf of the Post Office for over two years, and that they cannot obtain satisfaction as to when payment will be made, or according to what scale; if so, will he take steps to immediately alter this state of affairs.
§ MR. HANBURYScales of payment are furnished to Sub-Postmasters on application. Under ordinary conditions they are binding alike on the Department and the Sub-Postmaster. The Postmaster-General is aware of the fact stated in the second part of the hon. Member's 1345 question. The question of the scale of remuneration for telephone work has been under his consideration for some time, and he hopes that he will very shortly be able to arrive at a conclusion which will he satisfactory to the officers concerned.